The Opelousas courier., 1887-11-12
ROUSING DEMOCRATIC MEETING AT
VERNON.
The Courthouse Filled and Many Listen
on the Outside - Speeches by Col.

on the Outside - Speeches by Col.
Young, Major Burke and Capt. Wise.
RUsToN, La, Nov. SIN response 70 an
invitation to Gov. McEnery, Senator Eustis,
Major Burke, Ex-senator 1anas, Col. j. s.
Young and Hon. P. P. Wells, from the citi-
zens Of Vernon, Jackson parish, to attend a
meeting and address them upon The issues Of
the day, Messrs. Burke, Young and Wells
left here this morning in private conveyances
for Vernon, distant twelve miles. They
reached Vernon at IL O'Clock, where q large
~concourse had assembled to attend the meet
ing and welcome the party.
Capt. E. E. Kidd, as spokesman, received
the visitors in q neat address OF welcome.
after which all repaired to the courthouse,
whsre the meeting was held. Capt. Kidd Sre-
sided, and in calling the meeting to order
state that it had been gotten up at the sollcl-
tation of the merchants and voters of Jack
son parish. Just as many persons as could
manage to crowd into she courtroom were
present, and q largs numbcr of voters listened
to the proceedings on the outside. The meet
ing proved to be rs large and ertausl26fIc rs
any ever known at Vernon. The speaking
consumed four hours, and the speakers were
listened TO with close attention.
COL. j. S. YOUNG
was tie first speaker. Oh consumed one
hour, during which he fully explained the
issues in the present campaign: lie took up
and discussed the charges which have been
made by the refior1ners and showed coneiu-
sively bow false they were.
MAJOR E. A. BURKE
was next introduced by Capt. Kidd and
held the close, attention Of the sud-
enee for two hours; He reviewed The
recordsot continuous service in the ranks
since ES72; as member of the Fusion State
Comm ttee in 1879; member of the. State
comm nee from 1872 to 1880; nominated
ministratorc OF improvements IN 1874. and
chairman of the Democratic State registra-
ton and election committee IN 1915:
@kfe characterized as malicious and absurd
the assertion that he
HAD EVER BEEN A REPUBLICAN
OF cast u Republican vote, and that the report
OF evidence now quoted by Gen. Nichols
supporters had been CARRIED or Eroagfuily
reported. E~yeryOn familiar with Louisiana
history knew that he could not have made
sach sentiments.
Major Burke reviewed the financial history
OF the McEnery adInlrIstfatlon and the re-
forms accomplished. He reviewed the state
deDs, leYees, schools, penltentiary lease, fiscal
agency, progress Of the State, the assaults
upon The p~artyaad the personal and partisan
character OF the Nichols campaign. lie de-
noanced the charge that the state govern
IneHt or its supporters were in opposition TO
Cleveland, and declared that Nichols shculd
not be crit!clsea for acts done prior to the or
gani2etlon OF the government. He claimed
the right, however, TO c~riticiae the policies M
nounced subsequently, ane pointed out clear
iy the practical effect of those policies, and
that the obIiteration of the color line in
pGrty politics would give the egFoe in every
parish in the State the balance Of power in
primary organizations OF the Democratic
party. He cited the East Feliciana oTaaniza-
ton, reviewed the Tensas and Natchitoohes
cases and gave a full history Of the effort to
secure recognition at Washington Of Gen.
Ogden by Gov. McEnery and friends.
Major Burke's touching illusions to Gen.
Ogden produced deep. emotion in the au-
dienee. He discussed the good qualities and
deficiencies of both Nichols and McEnery,
and compared Them. He showed what benefits
the state and her people have derived
through the McEnery administration. He
was freqssntly interrupted by hearty ap-
While Capt. Welles was speaking L. G.
Drew, of the Jackson Times, left the meet
ing, went tdhis Office, and set up and struck
off half = dozen copies of the following no
tees and posted them conspicuously III front
of the courthouse before the meeting ad-
iOurned:
Democratic mass meeting and barbecue
at Vernon, Jackson parish, La, on Saturday,
Nov. 10, 1S8T-Gen; f. 7. Nichols, Senator
Fl. w. Wise, and other distinguished speak
crs are invited to address the people. All
Democrats are requested to attend. Ladies
and children are specially invited to be pres
ent."
Several gentlemen upon reading the notice
| remarked that the Nichols party were billed
| st Taliulsh on the 10th of November.
All the speeches to-day were reported in
full, but the telegraph on1pany Is unable to
carry any more than is here given. Afull
the morning to join Jonas and Eustis at
FarmeTyIlle.